Python driver for Alicat mass flow controllers.
Project description
alicat
Serial driver and command line tool for Alicat mass flow controllers.
If you are using Analyt-MTC flow controllers, go to this repository for more info.
Example Connections
Type | Usage |
---|---|
The standard DB9 cable connected directly to a computer (unix: /dev/ttyS0 , windows: COM1 ). |
Good with older computers that still have the connector. |
The cable connected to a computer through a USB converter (unix: /dev/ttyUSB0 , windows: COM1 ). |
Good for newer computers and maker boards such as Raspberry Pis. |
Multiple cables connected to one port via a splitter and Alicat's addressing (A -Z ). |
Good when number of ports is limited. |
Installation
pip install alicat
Usage
Command Line
For basic tasks, this driver includes a command-line interface. Read the help for more.
alicat --help
Python
For more complex projects, use python to automate your workflow.
from alicat import FlowController
flow_controller = FlowController(port='/dev/ttyUSB0')
print(flow_controller.get())
If the flow controller is communicating on the specified port, this should return a dictionary of the form:
{
'setpoint': 0.0, # Setpoint, either mass flow rate or pressure
'control_point': 'flow', # Either 'flow' or 'pressure'
'gas': 'Air', # Can be any option in `flow_controller.gases`
'mass_flow': 0.0, # Mass flow (in units specified at time of purchase)
'pressure': 25.46, # Pressure (normally in psia)
'temperature': 23.62, # Temperature (normally in C)
'total_flow': 0.0, # Optional. If totalizer function purchased, will be included
'volumetric_flow': 0.0 # Volumetric flow (in units specified at time of purchase)
}
On flow controllers, you can set the flow or pressure setpoints.
flow_controller.set_flow_rate(1.0)
flow_controller.set_pressure(20)
Gas Type
You can set the gas type by name or by index. For more on setting by index, see the gas table in your Alicat's manual.
flow_controller.set_gas('N2')
flow_controller.set_gas(8)
For firmware 5v and greater, you can create and set gas mixes. Mixes can contain up to five gases and are stored in gas indices 236-255.
flow_controller.create_mix(mix_no=236, name="Mix1", gases={'N2': 50, 'O2': 30, 'CO2': 20})
flow_controller.set_gas(236)
flow_controller.delete_mix(236)
PID Parameters
For flow controllers, read and write PID loop settings for device tuning.
flow_controller.set_pid(p=4000, i=4000, d=10, loop_type='PD2I')
print(flow_controller.get_PID())
{
'loop_type': 'PD2I',
'P': '4000',
'I': '4000',
'D': '10',
}
Other Features
Additional features include override commands to increase device functionality.
flow_controller.lock() # Lock the front display.
flow_controller.unlock() # Unlock the front display.
flow_controller.hold() # Hold the valve in its current position.
flow_controller.cancel_hold() # Cancel the valve hold.
flow_controller.tare_volumetric() # Tare volumetric hold.
flow_controller.tare_pressure() # Tare pressure.
flow_controller.reset_totalizer() # Reset totalizer, if totalizer functionality included.
Addressing
You can have multiple controllers on the same port by using Alicat's A
-Z
addresses
and an RS-232 splitter.
flow_controller_1 = FlowController(address='A')
flow_controller_2 = FlowController(address='B')
flow_controller_1.set_flow_rate(1.0)
flow_controller_2.set_flow_rate(0.5)
flow_controller_1.close() # /dev/ttyUSB0 is still open!
flow_controller_2.close()
TCP Support
The last version with working TCP support is here and can be installed with:
pip install alicat==0.3.1
If you use the TCP driver, please let us know and we'll add it back to the current version.
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